N C E O National Center on Educational Outcomes Accommodation Policies and Score Comparability Issues Martha L. Thurlow University of Minnesota

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National Center on Educational Outcomes

Accommodation Policies and Score Comparability Issues

Martha L. Thurlow

University of Minnesota

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Policies on assessment accommodations exist in every state. The policies have attempted to address score comparability issues, usually in the absence of research

NCEO regularly examines states’ policies on assessment participation and accommodations

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Questions

1. What decision-making criteria are provided?

2. What accommodations are allowed without restriction, allowed with restrictions, or prohibited?

3. What do restrictions indicate about score comparability?

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Study ProceduresNCEO

Update of previous analyses1. Requested newest policy from all 50 states

2. Completed grids for all states and all accommodations (with notations)

3. Sent data to state for verification

4. Made changes only with written documentation

[Collected policies through Sept 2001]

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Participation policies generally have implications for accommodation policies. For example:

Available to students other than those with disabilities and limited English proficiency?

More than one alternate assessment?

Focus today is only on accommodation policies!

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0 10 20 30 40 50

Number of States

Student Needs &Characteristics

Other Variables

Maintains Validity

Used for Instruction

IEP Team Determined

Decision-Making Criteria Used Without Restrictions

Assessment Accommodation Policies

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0 10 20 30 40 50

Number of States

Percent Time Receiving Services

Category of Disability

Decision-Making Criteria Prohibited

Assessment Accommodation Policies

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Distinctions between “okay” and “not okay” accommodations are usually evident in terms used in policies

States with different terms 37

“Accommodation” Terminology

States with single term 13

Most common: accommodation and modification

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Besides IEP, 504, and ELLs

Colorado

Kansas

Oregon

Rhode Island

Wyoming

Eligible Groups

All for All Students

Minnesota

Washington

Some for All Students

New York

All for Some Students

Kentucky Maryland Mississippi

Maine Massachusetts North Dakota

“All” Under Special Circumstances

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Accommodations Most Often Allowed (With & Without Restrictions)

Presentation Accommodations

Number of States Allowing: Without With

Large Print 46 3

Braille 35 14

Read Aloud* 5 41

Sign Language Interpretation 37 8

Read/Re-read/Clarify Directions* 29 10

*One state prohibits use

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“Equipment” Accommodations


Magnification 40 0

Amplification 34 0

Light/Acoustics 32 0

Calculator* 14 23

Templates/Graph Paper 32 0


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Response Accommodations


Proctor/Scribe 31 17

Write in Test Booklet 37 2

Computer or Machine* 30 9

Communication Device 27 8


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Scheduling/Timing Accommodations


Extended Time* 26 16

With Breaks 33 10

Time Beneficial to Student 35 0

Multiple Session 31 2

*Three states prohibit use

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Setting Accommodations


Individual Administration 46 1

Small Group Administration 46 2

Separate Room 36 0

Carrel 32 0

Seat Location/Proximity 31 0

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Prohibited Accommodations

Top Five # of States

Spell Checker/Assistance 11

Extended Time 3

Audio/Video Cassette 2

Over Multiple Days 2

Others* 1

*Others include:

Read Aloud

Re-read, Clarify Directions

Calculator

Abacus

Computer

Student’s Home

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• Few states completely prohibit accommodations

• Policies are really complex, with clarifications about type of test, specific skills assessed, and certain student characteristics

Generalizations

Accommodation Policies

Documents

N C E O National Center on Educational Outcomes Accommodation Policies and Score Comparability Issues Martha L. Thurlow University of Minnesota